11 Amazing Side Trips from Tokyo
By Skywing Knights // October 15, 2022
Tokyo will forever be one of the most amazing places you can go in your lifetime. And hey, Japan just opened it’s borders today to foreign tourists again (sans required tour guides)!! Time to break out in song and sing it with me: Celebrate good times, come on! (Or wait till you get to a Karaoke hall in Tokyo to belt it out, that’s okay too!) But if you find yourself to be in a bit more of an adventurous mood during your next trip to Tokyo and are desiring to go beyond the bounds of the main Tokyo railways, you might find a side trip from this awesome city to be worth your while during your next trip to Japan.
My favorite thing about these locations is that they don’t take a huge time commitment to fully experience them all. Most of them are day trips with the option for you to stay for one night if you so choose. In that way, they’re not like Kyoto where one day just won’t cut it. And some of them can even be half day adventures! Total winners!
Additionally, many of these really allow you to get away from the city and enjoy the natural wonders of Japan. From mountains to hot springs to historic sites, this list has a little bit of everything. Not to mention, you won’t be surrounded by thousands of people, allowing you to really spread your wings.
The places on this list are also relatively English-friendly locations. While not all of them have English-speakers on staff, the majority of them will have English brochures and English versions of their websites. And getting to them isn’t particularly difficult either as many have directions to help you get from Tokyo to your destination of choice in English. But just in case, I’ve included the addresses of many of them, both in English and Japanese, in the event that you truly do need some help getting to them.
In short, all of these destinations are easy to navigate, sure to please, and a great taste of some of the best that Japan has to offer, all without the hustle and bustle of a cityscape.
So for those with wanderlust hearts or for those who just want to explore all that Japan has to offer, here are 11 amazing side trips you can take from Tokyo that are totally worth it:
1. Yokohama (横浜)
When Japan opened its borders again after the Edo Period (江戸時代), Yokohama was a small port town. But it quickly grew to be the second largest city in Japan, even despite the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake (関東大地震) of 1923. Extremely popular with expats even today, Yokohama has a number of popular spots that are worth exploring.
The Ramen Museum and Cup Noodles Museum are both popular museums where one can explore the history and various tastes of all kinds of ramen and cup noodles that kept most of us going through our college years. Meanwhile, Yokohama’s Chinatown is one of the largest in all of Japan and one of the most popular as well. History buffs will also enjoy exploring Yamate (山手) and Motomachi (元町) where foriegn merchants took up residence during the Meiji period (明治時代). It’s also where a historic ‘foreigners’ cemetery lies, which is unique to Japan as bodies in this cemetery are buried, not cremated.
Whereas at night, the best place to go is Minato Mirai 21 (みなとみらい 21). With plenty of shopping available, this new harbor area also features many a lookout point as well as a beautiful ferris wheel in the Cosmo World amusement park that lights up the bay.
Ramen Museum
Website: http://www.raumen.co.jp/
Address (English): 2 Chome-14-21 Shinyokohama, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0033, Japan
Address (Japanese): 〒222-0033 神奈川県横浜市港北区新横浜２丁目14-21
Price: 380 yen for admission, does not include food
Cupnoodles Museum
Website: https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/ja/yokohama/
Address (English): 2 Chome-3-4 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001, Japan
Address (Japanese): 〒231-0001 神奈川県横浜市中区新港２丁目３−4
Price: 500 yen for admission, does not include food
Chinatown
Website: https://www.chinatown.or.jp/
Address (English): Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023, Japan
Address (Japanese): 〒231-0023 神奈川県横浜市中区山下町
Price: Free
Yamatecho and Motomachi’s Foriegn General Cemetery
Website: http://www.yfgc-japan.com/
Address (English): Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0861
Hours: 12 Noon – 6PM on weekends and national holidays; closed on weekdays and during January and August
Price: Free, but a donation of 200-300 yen for admission is suggested
Yamatecho and Motomachi
Website: https://www.yokohamajapan.com/things-to-do/search.php?area_id=2
Address (English): Japan, 〒231-0862 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Yamatecho, 96 横浜外国人墓地資料館
Address (Japanese): 〒231-0862 神奈川県横浜市中区山手町96 横浜外国人墓地資料館
Hours: Varies
Price: Varies
Minato Mirai 21
Website: https://minatomirai21.com/ (Japanese), https://goyokohama.jp/ (English)
Address (English): Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012 (it’s more of an area)
Hours: Varies
Price: Varies
Cosmo World
Website: http://cosmoworld.jp/
Address (English): 2 Chome-8-1 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001, Japan
Address (Japanese): 〒231-0001 神奈川県横浜市中区新港２丁目８−1
Hours: Generally 11 AM – 9 PM (can fluctuate and change)
Price: Free to enter, tickets required for attraction 100-900 yen a ticket, 3500-500, 5000-1000 bulk tickets, group discounts for 20 or more people also available.
Find more information about Yokohama here: https://goyokohama.jp/
2. Mt. Fuji (富士山)
The fact that you can see Mt. Fuji, or Fuji-san, from the skyscrapers of Tokyo on a particularly clear day is basically a sign that you absolutely need to go see this beautiful and iconic location in Japan, right? Right. Mt. Fuji is practically synonymous with Japan and has been a symbol of the country since ancient times. Famously, the Ukiyo-e artist Hokusai featured the mountain in his “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji”. One of these includes the “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, which has been featured on all kinds of things from curtains to wallpapers to T-shirts and more. And while it’s still technically an active volcano and that there is a chance that it could erupt (and by the way, some say it’s overdue), it’s a generally quiet volcano and remains a popular hike for tourists all around the world.
Mt. Fuji itself is typically only climbable during the summer time between the months of July and early September and it’s only recommended that one climbs during good weather. (Basically, don’t go when it’s raining!) That said, if you can go and do want to climb the volcano, consider the time of day you want to go and when during your trip you want to go. Many people recommend doing a night hike so that you can greet the morning sunrise from the peak. If you’re subject to a time change anyway and want to do a night hike, you might consider doing the hike early in your trip (like almost right away) and not bother to get adjusted to the time change until after.
There are several trails you can take to get to the top, most starting at one of the 5th stations. While most say the hike isn’t necessarily a hard one, sometimes hikers can be prone to altitude sickness during the ascent. There are mountain huts that one can stay in during the ascent and descent where hikers can get extra oxygen. But it will cost you a pretty penny (or yen) for that oxygen, a bed, a meal, or even to use the bathroom!
Because of all of that, do your research before going to make sure this climb is for you. And make sure to bring proper clothing and supplies. Even though you’d be climbing in the summer time, it does get cold up there and you definitely want to be prepared!
All of that said, this is one thing you can do that is a definite bucket list item you can check off your list.
Mt. Fuji
Website: http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/index.html
Address (English) : Kitayama, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka 418-0112, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒418-0112 静岡県富士宮市北山
Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (Yoshida Trail)
Website: http://www.fujiyama5.jp/
Address (English) : Japan, 〒401-0320 Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District, Narusawa, 富士山五合目
Address (Japanese) : 〒401-0320 山梨県南都留郡鳴沢村 富士山五合目
*This is the most popular 5th station as it is the easiest to get to from Tokyo. All trails are said to be about the same in terms of difficulty. There are 3 other 5th stations available to start from.
Trails:
- Yoshida Trail (Yamanashi Prefecture)
- Subashiri Trail (Shizuoka Prefecture)
- Gotemba Trail (Shizuoka Prefecture)
- Fujinomiya Trail (Shizuoka Prefecture)
3. Hakone (箱根)
If you don’t feel like you MUST climb Mt. Fuji, but still want to see it up close and personal, then these next two are going to be excellent options. First up is an area known as Hakone or Fuji Hakone Izu National Park (富士箱根伊豆国立公園).
Oftentimes, if you take a bus tour out to Mt Fuji, this is where you’ll end up going. Most buses will take you as far up Mt. Fuji as you can go (which depends on the snow fall at the time) before taking you to Hakone. In Hakone, you can take in the fabulous scenery of Mt. Fuji, with Lake Ashi (芦ノ湖) right in front of it. In the area, you can take a ride on the Hakone Sky Gondola up to a viewing point where you can overlook the lake and Mt. Fuji. Additionally, down at the lake, if you’re feeling like braving the stormy seas (not really, it is a lake after all 😉 ), you can take a pirate boat ride. (No, I’m really not kidding you).
In Hakone, you can also stop by Owakudani (大涌谷) or “The Great Boiling Valley”. There, two things you absolutely must find/buy/see include the kuro-tamago (黒卵), or Black Eggs, and Secret Boxes or “Himitsu Bako” (秘密箱). The Black Eggs are the result of birds laying their eggs in hot springs (which are prevalent in the area as there is still quite a lot of volcanic activity underground). Once laid, they become hard boiled and the shells are infused with the sulfur from the vents. However, they’re quite delicious! Legend has it that if you eat one, you can live 7 years longer. Eat two, and you live 14 years longer. But if you eat 3, you’ll get a bad tummy ache for being too greedy!
Meanwhile, the “Secret Boxes” are puzzle boxes with origins dating 150 years back in Hakone. Often sporting elaborate and beautiful patterns, the boxes must be opened in a specific way, otherwise, they won’t open at all. Perfect for hiding away your most secret items and the perfect omiyage (お土産) or souvenir to take home!
For those looking for a tour recommendation, I recommend the ones offered by Japan Gray Line, linked below. They’re great one day packages and are very fairly priced based on what you get to do. (I’ve gone on them twice, so you know they’re fun!)
If you don’t want to take a bus and would rather go by train or by car, you might as well also hit up Odawara Castle (小田原城). It’s a little out of the way depending on how you go. However, it’s a cool stop to see the small, but rebuilt castle, along with the Ninja Museum on the grounds and Samurai Museum nearby.
Hakone National Park
Website (English) : https://www.japan.travel/national-parks/parks/fuji-hakone-izu/
Website (Japanese) : http://www.env.go.jp/park/fujihakone/
Address (English) : Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒250-0522 神奈川県足柄下郡箱根町元箱根
Sky Gondola
Website: http://www.hakoneropeway.co.jp/
Address (English) : 1300 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0408, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒250-0408 神奈川県足柄下郡箱根町強羅1300
Price: 950-2800 yen for adults, 480-850 yen for children; can be combined with the Pirate Ship tour via the website link for the Pirate Ship (see below).
Owakudani
Website: http://www.kanagawa-park.or.jp/owakudani/
Address (English) : Japan, 〒250-0631 Kanagawa, Ashigarashimo District, Hakone, 箱根 仙石原
Address (Japanese) : 〒250-0631 神奈川県足柄下郡箱根町 箱根 仙石原
Hakone Pirate Ship Port (Togendai):
Website: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/spot/105
Address (English) : 164 Motohakone, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0522, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒250-0522 神奈川県足柄下郡箱根町元箱根164
Hours: Generally opens at 9:30 AM. Last boat departs at 4:20 PM. Timetables vary depeneding on the time of year; harsh weather can impact operating hours and days.
Price: 1200-2200 yen for adults, 600-1110 yen for children; can be combined with the Sky Gondola for discounted prices.
Japan Gray Line:
Website: https://www.jgltraveljapan.jp/
Pick Up and Drop Off: Multiple options (listed on their website).
Price: 6,300-17,000 yen (Varies based on age and package)
Odawara Castle, Ninja and Samurai Museums
Website: https://odawaracastle.com/
Address (English) : Jonai, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0014, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒250-0014 神奈川県小田原市城内
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM); closed from December 31-January 1 as well as the second Wednesday of December.
Price: 510 yen for the castle, 310 yen for the Ninja Museum, 200 yen for the Samurai Museum, 610 yen for the Castle and both museums.
4. Kawaguchiko (河口湖)
Whereas with Hakone, you can go and come back to Tokyo within one day, Kawaguchiko is an overnight trip for sure! Why? Because of the many onsen and ryokan, of course! Just north of Mt Fuji is Kawaguchi Lake, or Kawaguchiko, and it’s surrounded by ryokan (旅館), traditional japanese hotels, and onsen (温泉), hot spring baths. And best thing? Many of the ryokan have onsen! Needless to say, this is where to go if you really want to treat yourself!
That said, ryokan are typically going to cost a pretty penny and reservations must be made well in advance. Additionally, you should avoid going during Japanese holidays where the prices will be much higher than average. Finally, be sure to make sure you’re getting the kind of room you want.
Through out all of Japan, smoking and non-smoking rooms are typically available, but in ryokan, you might also want to take into account if you want a private onsen in your room or if you’re okay with public onsen (these are separated by biological sex, for what it’s worth though). (In Japan, people typically go into them in sans clothes).
While a public onsen will give you the most authentic experience, if you’re not comfortable with it, you can always get a room with a private onsen, which are more like giant hot tubs, sans the bubbles, and the water is pumped up from the hot spring sources.
While you can find onsen in many places throughout Japan, if you’re able to go to a ryokan in Kawaguchiko, you can request a room and private onsen with a view of Mt. Fuji – an absolutely spectacular site to see, day or night, and at any time of the year. Definitely a memory of a lifetime! Below you can see a few of my personal recommendations for ryokan/onsen in Kawaguchiko!
Kawaguchiko
Address (English) : Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町
(The following ryokan/onsen typically become more expensive the further down the list you go).
Fuji Lake Hotel (Ryokan and Onsen)
Website: https://www.fujilake.co.jp/
(Reservations can also be made through other agencies and online English booking services)
Address (English) : 1 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒401-0301 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町船津1
Price: Varies based on time of reservation, room type, if there is a private onsen in your room, the view selected, and if a Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese meal, is included.
Kozantei Ubuya (Ryokan and Onsen)
Website: https://www.ubuya.co.jp/
(Reservations can also be made through other agencies and online English booking services)
Address (English) : 10 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0303, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒401-0303 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町浅川10
Price: Varies based on time of reservation, room type, if there is a private onsen in your room, the view selected, and if a Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese meal, is included.
Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen Hotel Konansou (Ryokan and Onsen)
Website: http://www.konansou.com/
(Reservations can also be made through other agencies and online English booking services)
Address (English) : 4020 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0301, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒401-0301 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町船津4020
Price: Varies based on time of reservation, room type, if there is a private onsen in your room, the view selected, and if a Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese meal, is included.
5. Mt. Takao (高尾山)
If you’re a city-person like this girl, then you might be perfectly content to stay in downtown Tokyo for the entirety of your trip to the Japanese Metropolis. But if you crave nature, then a trip to Mt. Takao is going to be your prescription for a good trip to Tokyo, Japan. You can either take the JR Chuo Line (中央線) to Keio Takao station (京王高尾駅) and then the Keio Takao Line (京王高尾線) to Takaosanguchi station (高尾山口駅) or the Keio Takao Line from Shinjuku station (新宿駅) straight to Takaosanguchi Station to get out to the base of the mountain. Once there, you will have a plethora of options to keep yourself entertained.
Want to stay at the base? Head over to the free Takao 599 Museum or visit the Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu. Want to hike up to the top of the 599 ft tall mountain? There are several trails you can take to do it. Route 1 is paved and will take about 90 minutes from start to finish, while other trails are less trod and not paved, offering curious explorers a “true” hiking experience. And on clear, non-humid days, at the peak you can get great views of Mt. Fuji in addition to Tokyo. Not a hiker, but still want to see some beautiful views? No problem. You can either take a cable car ride or a chair lift up to an observation deck, next to which you’ll also find the Monkey Park, which also includes a wild flower garden.
As Mt. Takao has also been considered to be a sacred mountain for over 1000 years, the mountain is home to the Shinto-Buddhist temple Yakuoin. Located between the observation deck and the summit, the temple is one where many will pray for good luck and fortune. Since Mt. Takao is near Tokyo, it can be rather crowded on the weekends, particularly during the fall when the leaves change, as well as at certain points in the spring when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom. This time of year is known as Takaosan Senbonzakura (高尾山千本桜) or “Mount Takao Thousand Cherry Trees”. As such, while it can be a bit too crowded on weekends, it’s the perfect mid-week getaway for those feeling smothered by the highrise buildings and are craving a refreshing and scenic experience to revitalize them.
Mt. Takao
Website: https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/
Address (English) : Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒193-0844 東京都八王子市高尾町
Takao 599 Museum
Website: https://www.takao599museum.jp/
Address (English) : 2435番3 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒193-0844 東京都八王子市高尾町2435番3
Price: Free!
Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu
Website: https://www.takaosan-onsen.jp/english/index.html
Address (English) : 2229番７ Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒193-0844 東京都八王子市高尾町2229番７
Hours: 8 AM – 10:45 PM (Last entry: 10 PM); no closing days
Price: 1000 yen for adults, 500 yen for children ages 4-12; 1200 yen for adults during Autumn, Golden Week and New Year Holidays
Mt Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden
Website: https://takao-monkey-park.jp/
Address (English) : 2179 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒193-0844 東京都八王子市高尾町2179
Hours: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (December to February); 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (March and April); 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (May to November); no closing days.
Price: 430 yen
Takao-san Cable Car and Lift
Website: https://www.takaotozan.co.jp/
Address (English) : 2205 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒193-0844 東京都八王子市高尾町2205
Hours: 8:00 AM – about 5:45 PM (end time can vary); Departures about every 15 minutes with admission ending 30 minutes before closing. (No closing days)
Price: 950 yen (round-trip) or 490 yen (one way) for adults; 470 yen (round-trip) or 250 yen (one way) for children. Group discounts and monthly passes available.
6. Kamakura (鎌倉)
In the prefecture of Kanagawa (神奈川), a mere hour away from Tokyo station (東京駅) is the town of Kamakura. It became the home of the Kamakura Shogunate (鎌倉幕府) during the Kamakura period (鎌倉時代), which lasted from 1185 to 1133 and was followed by the Muromachi period (室町時代) and later the Sengoku period (戦国時代), or Warring States Period.
The Kamakura period marked a change in Japanese governance. For the first time in centuries, a clan other than one specifically associated with the Imperial Family gained a significant amount of control over a large area of Japan. And ultimately, it would be the beginning of a long and drawn out time in which clans would fight for power.
Thus, because of its rich history, Kamakura has an immense number of historical sites worth visiting as well as a large number of temples and shrines. Not to mention in the summer, it still remains a popular beach getaway! While it’s perhaps most notable for the Great Buddha, or Daibutsu (大仏) at Kotoku-in Temple (高徳院), other locations such as Hasedera Temple (長谷寺), Kenchoji (建長寺), Hokokuji Temple (報国寺), and Engakuji (円覚寺) are worth the visit as well. Meanwhile, history buffs will have a wonderful time going through hiking trails where they can find sites of battles that took place in ancient times.
Hasedera in particular has a spectacular overlook of Kamakura with a view of the sea from up above. It has many hydrangeas as well and a statue of Kannon (観音), the goddess of compassion and mercy, which is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan. Also to note are the multitude of Jizo (地蔵) statues at the temple called Sentai Jizo (千体地蔵) or Thousand Jizo. These are placed by parents and families who mourn the premature deaths of baby boys and girls, with the hope that the Buddhist deity Jizo will protect these children beyond the grave.
But if temples and history tours are not your thing, perhaps the beach is. Kamakura is in fact right on the sea and features its own beach. And if you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can go out to Enoshima island, which can be reached via a short train ride. Moreover, the island features beaches, an aquarium, caves to explore, an observation tower, parks and garden, and places to surf. It’s also one of the fabled cat islands, though the felines are not as prevalent as they are on other islands. Still, it’s a nice bonus for all of the cat lovers out there. 😉
Kotoku-in
Website: https://www.kotoku-in.jp/
Address (English) : 4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒248-0016 神奈川県鎌倉市長谷４丁目２−28
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (- 5:00 PM from October to March); no closing days. (Buddha Statue Interior Hours run from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
Price: 300 yen; +20 yen for Buddha Statue Interior admission
Hasedera Temple
Website: https://www.hasedera.jp/
Address (English) : 3 Chome-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒248-0016 神奈川県鎌倉市長谷３丁目１１−2
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, last entry at 30 minutes prior to closing (closes at 5:00 PM from October to February); no closing days.
Price: 400 yen
Kenchoji
Website: http://kenchoji.com/
Address (English) : 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-8525, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒247-8525 神奈川県鎌倉市山ノ内8
Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; no closing days.
Price: 450 yen
Hokokuji Temple
Website: http://www.houkokuji.or.jp/
Address (English) : 2 Chome-7-4 Jomyoji, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0003, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒248-0003 神奈川県鎌倉市浄明寺２丁目７−4
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; closed December 19 – January 3.
Price: 300 yen (for the bamboo garden)
Engakuji
Website: http://www.engakuji.or.jp/
Address (English) : 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒247-0062 神奈川県鎌倉市山ノ内409
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Closes at 4:00 PM from December to February); no closing days.
Price: 300 yen
Enoshima
Website: https://www.discover-fujisawa.jp/
Train Access : Enoden Train from Kamakura; Odakyu Railway, the Romance Car, the JR Tokaido Line, or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku in Tokyo; Shonan Monorail from Ofuna Station.
Price: Ranges from 260-1520 yen
7. Nikko (日光)
If there’s one place on this list that you have to go to DURING THE FALL, it’s Nikko. With absolutely the most beautiful fall foliage I have ever seen, Nikko is a spectacular little town with a variety of places to go to. Most notably, it’s the home of the Toshogu Shrine (東照宮), where the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), the final of the three men to finally unite Japan, are interred. While that might only sound exciting to history buffs, this shrine is perhaps one of the most gorgeous places in all of Japan. So it’s a definite one not to miss!
Oh, and you can take pictures with the famous “Three Wise Monkeys” or Sanen (三猿) – Mizaru (見猿), Kikazaru (聞か猿), and Iwazaru (言わ猿), as they call this shrine their home too! (I have done my duty for all of the Instagrammers out there now!)
In addition to Toshogu Shrine, there are a number of other spots that are must-see spots in the area. These include the Shinkyo Bridge (神橋), Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖), Kegon Waterfall (華厳の滝), and the Yumoto Onsen (湯元).
Finally, if you’re feeling up for a fun adventure at a theme park, you should hit up Edo Wonderland ((江戸ワンダーランド), also known as Edomura (江戸村), which recreates the Edo period for guests. Actors throughout the park will play the roles of Samurai, Ninja, Princesses, Peasants, and even famous figures. You can even get in on the action and dress up as one too! No matter what you decide to do though, Nikko is definitely not going to disappoint. So go. Like now. And don’t forget your camera.
Toshogu Shrine
Website: https://www.toshogu.jp/
Address (English) : 2301 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1431, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒321-1431 栃木県日光市山内2301
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; last admission 30 minutes before closing time (Closes at 4:00 PM from November to March); no closing days.
Price: 1300 yen (other areas require additional fees)
Shinkyo Bridge
Website: http://www.shinkyo.net/
Address (English) : Japan, 〒321-1401 Tochigi, Nikko, 上鉢石町
Address (Japanese) : 〒321-1401 栃木県日光市上鉢石町
Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (April to October), 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM (November to March); no closing days.
Price: 300 yen
Lake Chuzenji
Address (English) : Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 栃木県日光市
Kegon Waterfall
Website: http://www.nikko-kankou.org/spot/5/
Address (English) : Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒321-1661 栃木県日光市中宮祠
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (May to November), 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March to April), 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (December to February); no closing days.
Price: 570 yen
Yumoto Onsen
Website: http://www.nikkoyumoto-vc.com/english/
Address (English) : Yumoto, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1662, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒321-1662 栃木県日光市湯元
Edo Wonderland
Website: http://www.edowonderland.net/
Address (English) : 470-2 Karakura, Nikko, Tochigi 321-2524, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒321-2524 栃木県日光市柄倉470-2
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mid-March to November), 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (December to Mid-March); closed every Wednesday and Jan 16-Jan 31.
Price: 4800 yen for adults, 2500 yen for children (admission only).
8. Matsumoto Castle (松本城)
One of Japan’s most unique features for centuries have been their castles. But today, only a few still standing actually retain their original interiors and structures. And the closest and most impressive one to Tokyo is Matsumoto Castle or Matsumoto Jo. Sometimes known as the “Crow Castle” for its jet black exterior, it’s about 2-3 hours away from Tokyo. But if you really want to experience a true Japanese castle, Matsumoto Jo is going to be your best bet if you’re only going to be in Tokyo. And you know what? It’s absolutely worth the trip.
This one is definitely an ALL day trip as a result of the time it takes to get there. As such, you’ll want to either get up early to go or leave at night and stay overnight in Matsumoto prefecture. However, experiencing the castle itself doesn’t necessarily take all that long. When I went, I took about two or three hours max to go through the grounds, take pictures, and scale the castle. However, it is most definitely huge and ladies, wear pants because everyone can see up your skirts as you climb the mammoth on extremely steep stairs inside! Additionally, those working at the castle are extremely polite and love the castle itself, making exploring the castle incredibly enjoyable.
That said, it’s been one of my favorite experiences with Japanese Castles. It’s up there tied with Himeji Castle (姫路城), also known as the White Heron Castle. And it’s definitely worth it if you have the time to make it out there. Taking the train can also be a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city of Tokyo too and no matter what season you go in, you’ll be able to take in some truly beautiful sights along the way. So if you love Japanese architecture and really want to experience a castle, make the time to go to Matsumoto.
To get to Matsumoto from Tokyo, there are several train routes one can take, including the Azusa limited express (6620 yen one way), the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the Shinano limited express (10,000 yen one way), and other local JR trains (these range from 2410-4070 yen one way). Another popular way to go is via highway buses, with one popular bus chain being Willer (costing around 3900 yen one way). Most of the faster train lines take about 2.5 hours, while buses take about 3. It’s ultimately all about how you prefer to travel. But when Matsumoto Castle comes into view, either way, you’ll be glad you made the choice to go.
Matsumoto Castle
Website: http://www.matsumoto-castle.jp/
Address (English) : 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒390-0873 長野県松本市丸の内４−1
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM); closed from December 29-31).
Price: 700 yen
9. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea
I know it says it’s “Tokyo Disneyland” and “Tokyo DisneySea”, but they’re actually NOT in Tokyo. Rather, they’re in the Chiba Prefecture, a neighboring prefecture to Tokyo. So yes, I’m including them here because YES they deserve to be on your list of side trips because gosh darn it all why would you not go to a Disney resort??
For families going to Tokyo with young kids who may not appreciate Japanese history as much as their parents, Tokyo Disneyland is sure to delight them. Internationally friendly, both Disneyland and DisneySea have several languages on display everywhere, with Japanese and English being the most prominent. Disneyland in particular will be a wonderful way to endear yourself to your children and make great memories with them at the same time. 😉
Meanwhile, if you’re traveling to Japan as an adult, well, you should still go. However, you can skip Disneyland (since it’s essentially a copy of the Magic Kingdom theme park in Disney World in Florida). Instead, go to DisneySea. Built to appeal more to teenagers and adults, DisneySea takes on a more mature tone with a more adult-oriented park design. As a result, the rides are more thrilling here and the restaurants are going to delight all who go.
Also, also, also, just saying the hotel rooms here are something else. You can literally stay in a hotel, the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, which will allow you to look out at the park. That might not be for you if you’re just going for a day trip, but if you’re a huge Disney fan, it’s something you just can not miss. And if you do stay at a Disney resort, it doesn’t hurt to check out if you can get a themed room. Whether you like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, or maybe even Kingdom Hearts, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea’s hotels will have you covered. So what are you waiting for? A train station that lets you off right at the parks? Oh, that’s actually already a thing. So let’s get going and go to Disney!
Tokyo Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド)
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl/
Address (English) : 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒279-0031 千葉県浦安市舞浜1-1
Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (timing varies; check the park schedule for more accurate day to day information).
Price: 7900-9400 yen+ for adults; 6600-7800 yen+ for Juniors; 4700-5600 yen for Children (Varies based on the date)
Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー)
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/tds/
Address (English) : 1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-8511, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒279-8511 千葉県浦安市舞浜1-13
Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (timing varies; check the park schedule for more accurate day to day information).
Price: 7900-9400 yen+ for adults; 6600-7800 yen+ for Juniors; 4700-5600 yen for Children (Varies based on the date)
10. Kusatsu Onsen Town (草津温泉)
If you’re looking to cure “every sickness but lovesickness”, then consider taking an overnight trip to Kusatsu Onsen. Located in Gunma (群馬) prefecture, it’s about 2 and a half hours away from Tokyo. It’s one of the most famous hot spring towns in all of Japan, and for good reason. The Yubatake (湯畑), or hot spring field, in the center of town pumps out over 5000 liters of hot water a minute. And that hot water (spewing at around 70 degrees celsius) is, as alluded to above, said to be of extremely high quality. As a result, this is said to make the water of Kusatsu perfect for improving one’s health via a bath.
The town itself not only offers some of the best onsen resorts in Japan, but also excellent hiking trails in the spring, summer, and fall. Mount Shirane (白根山), or Kusatsu Shirane, offers a number of routes to hike, with Yugama (湯釜) Crater Lake being a top pick for an end destination. (Just make sure that it’s safe to go before you do – Mount Shirane is actually a series of active volcanoes!) Meanwhile, skiers will find awesome ski slopes in the winter at Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort (草津国際スキー場).
So why not go skiing and then relax in the evening with a hot bath? I wouldn’t judge you at all for it! While there are several community baths in the area, some of the more notable ones include Sainokawara Rotemburo (西の河原露天風呂) (in a park), Gozanoyu (御座之湯), and Otakinoyu (大滝乃湯).
Kusatsu Onsen Town can be reached from Tokyo via a limited express train from Ueno Station and a transfer to a JR bus at Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. Be warned, this route only runs about 3 times a day, so make sure to plan ahead! In addition, other options include the Hokuriku Shinkansen and various other highway buses. So what are you waiting for? Go on and treat yourself! After all, you definitely deserve it after that plane ride. 😉
Yubatake
Website: https://gunma-kusatsu.com/kusatsuonsenyubatake/
Address (English) : Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津
Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free
Mt. Shirane
Website: https://www.visit-gunma.jp/en/spots/mt-nikko-shirane/
Address (English) : Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津
Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free
Yugama Crater Lake
Website: https://www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/category/detail/index.php?c=2&g=2&kcd=29
Address (English) : Japan, 〒377-1711 Gunma, Agatsuma District, Kusatsu, 湯釜
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津 湯釜
Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free
Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort
Website: https://www.932-onsen.com/winter/index
Address (English) : Japan, 〒377-1711 Gunma, Agatsuma District, Kusatsu, 白根国有林158林班
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津白根国有林158林班
Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: 3000-4000 yen for adults, 2000-3000 yen for juniors, 2500-3600 yen for seniors
Sainokawara Rotemburo
Website: http://sainokawara.com/en/
Address (English) : 521-3 Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津521-3
Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM (April to November), 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (December to March)
Price: 700 yen for adults, 350 yen for juniors
Gozanoyu
Website: http://gozanoyu.com/en/
Address (English) : 421 Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津421
Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM; last entry at 8:30 PM (hours may change due to the season)
Price: 700 yen for adults, 350 yen for juniors
Otakinoyu
Website: http://ohtakinoyu.com/en/
Address (English) : 421 Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津421
Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM; last entry at 8:00 PM
Price: 980 yen for adults, 450 yen for juniors
11. Kawagoe (川越)
If you’re looking for a taste of what Tokyo was like during the Edo period, then there’s no better place to go than Kawagoe, a city in the Saitama (埼玉) prefecture just north of Tokyo. A major trade hub during the Edo period, Kawagoe has several areas retaining key remnants of its strong ties to the then new capital, which earned it the nickname of “Little Edo”.
The Warehouse District, or Kurazukuri no Machinami (蔵造りの町並み), features many buildings built with clay walls, the best available building material during the Edo Period. In addition, visitors can spot the large Bell Tower, or Toki no Kane (時の鐘) literally meaning the Bell of Time, on Main Street, eat and shop along Kurazukuri Street After that, guests can indulge their sweet tooth in Candy Alley or Kashiya Yokochō (菓子屋横丁), which boomed as a sweets supplier to Tokyo after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
Additionally, every year in October on the third Saturday and Sunday of the month, the town hosts the Kawagoe Festival. But if you’re not there in October, you can also see several of the floats in the Kawagoe Festival Museum. Nearby, you can also walk to Honmaru Goten (本丸御殿). The building is the last standing structure of Kawagoe Castle, a strategically important building to the Tokugawa Shogunate (徳川幕府), which resulted in many high ranking officials loyal to the shogunate taking up residence in the castle during the Edo Period.
But no trip for a history buff would be complete without a visit to Kitain Temple, (喜多院). This Buddhist Temple of the Tendai Sect (天台宗) houses the only original structures of the Edo Castle (江戸城). The rest was destroyed in part during the Great Kanto Earthquake and later during World War II air raids). However, these original structures found a home at Kitain after a fire destroyed most of the temple in 1638. At the time, Iemitsu Tokugawa (徳川 家光) had the Edo Castle building structures moved there to assist with the rebuilding process. Also on site is the Semba Toshogu Shrine (仙波東照宮), built as a memorial to Tokugawa Ieyasu whose remains passed by Kawagoe on the way to Nikko where he was interred from the place of his death in Shizuoka (静岡).
The easiest way to get to Kawagoe is by taking the Tobu line from Ikebukuro Station all the way to Kawagoe station, a 30 minute train ride at only 480 yen. Speaking as a former resident of the Saitama prefecture – that price and speed is NICE. So go on, board that train, and when you get off, take a step back in time. It’s sure to be a delight.
Bell Tower
Website: http://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/welcome/kankospot/kurazukurizone/tokinokane.html
Address (English) : Japan, 〒350-0063 Saitama, Kawagoe, Saiwaicho, １５−7
Address (Japanese) : 〒350-0063 埼玉県川越市幸町１５−7
Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace
Website: https://www.city.kawagoe.saitama.jp/smph/welcome/kankospot/hommarugotenzone/hommarugoten.html
Address (English) : Japan, 〒350-0053 Saitama, Kawagoe, Kuruwamachi, 2 Chome−１３−1
Address (Japanese) : 〒350-0053 埼玉県川越市郭町２丁目１３−1
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; last entry at 4:30 PM
Price: 100 yen (Honmaru Goten only), 370 yen (Honmaru, City Museum, and Art Museum), 600 yen (Honmaru, City Museum, Art Museum, and Festival Museum)
Kitain Temple
Website: http://kitain.net/
Address (English) : Japan, 〒350-0036 Saitama, Kawagoe, Kosenbamachi, 1 Chome−２０−1
Address (Japanese) : 〒350-0036 埼玉県川越市小仙波町１丁目２０−1
Hours: 8:50 AM – 4:30 PM (closes at 4:00 PM from November 24 to February); Open 20 minutes longer on Sundays and National Holidays; closed December 25-January 8, February 2-3, April 2-5, and during special events.
Price: 400 yen
Kawagoe Station (10 minute walk from the Warehouse District)
Website: http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/stations/525.html
Address (English) : Wakitahoncho, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-1123, Japan
Address (Japanese) : 〒350-1123 埼玉県川越市脇田本町
And there you have it! 11 Side Trips from Tokyo that are totally worth hitting up if the big city isn’t your thing and you’re looking to have some truly unique experiences while in Japan. As I’ve said, I’m a city girl at heart, but even I can appreciate these places and many of them I find to be true gems. And hey, now that Japan is fully open again (fingers crossed it stays that way!), you really do have the chance to check these places out!
For those curious about spots to hit up while IN Tokyo, be sure to check out my previous blogs here:
- “15 Things You Must Do in Harajuku”
- “Travels: Going to the Meiji Shinto Shrine”
- “Experiencing Japan: Printing Your Own Ukiyo-e Via Mokuhanga”
- “Travels: Amazing Milky Way Sweets in Ikebukuro”
- “A Kabuki Experience Part 1 and Part 2”
- “Tokyo: Top 10 Places for the Anime Fan”
And not to worry, I’ll have some Kyoto blogs coming soon. Promise. 😉
Until then, I hope this has helped you and if you go to any of these locations, please comment below! I’d love to hear about your experiences.
Best and much love as always,
~Skywing
